ALVARO PALACIOS 'Camins del Priorat' 2021/22/23 Bottle

Description

Alvaro Palacios ‘Camins del Priorat’ 2023 is a vibrant and accessible entry into the rugged, slate-driven terroir of one of Spain’s most prestigious wine regions. Crafted by the legendary Alvaro Palacios, this wine is a carefully assembled blend of Garnacha and Samsó (Cariñena), supplemented with a touch of international varieties. Sourced from steep, terraced vineyards across several municipalities, it captures the intense Mediterranean spirit while maintaining a refreshing, modern elegance.

The 2023 vintage offers an expressive nose of crushed red berries, violets, and subtle spicy undertones. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and remarkably juicy, featuring silky tannins and a distinct mineral freshness characteristic of the local "llicorella" soils. It is a sophisticated, fruit-forward red that delivers high-level Priorat character for immediate enjoyment.

JAMES SUCKLING 92 points
Racy red bramble berries with notes of hibiscus, pomegranates, cochineal and cherries. Some chewy tannins add more gravity to the otherwise medium-bodied palate. Juicy, firm and stony in the medium-long finish. Better in 2025.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 90+ points
Drink Date: 2025 - 2030
The 2023 Camins del Priorat is the regional blend from eight villages and 90 different vineyards, produced with 45% Garnacha, 17% Cariñena, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9% Syrah and 6% white grapes, Garnacha Blanca and Pedro Ximenez. It fermented in a mixture of stainless steel, concrete and oak vats with indigenous yeasts and some full clusters with a maceration of 21 days and a short élevage in oak barrels and vats for four months. It has a bright ruby color, paler than the 2024 I tasted next to it, harmonious and elegant; the balsamic note has receded and the Mediterranean character more obvious. It's clean and expressive, polished and elegant. 195,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2024.